Why Priscilla Meirelles speaks Taglish
by: Justin John Mata | STIR Contributor
3 Nov 2009 | 09:28 AM

Nothing surprising about Star Magic artist Brazilian model and 2005 Miss Earth title-holder Priscilla Meirelles setting straight the buzz that she had broken up with her boyfriend of three years, John Estrada. Wearing the diamond engagement ring he gave her, they are still in their plan to tie the knot by early 2011. They spent her 26th birthday last Sept.5 in Hawaii. But the real surprise to STIR is to find out she could already speak Filipino, er, Taglish.

How did you learn Filipino?

I’ve been here for three years. May tutor ako ng Tagalog (na nagpupunta) sa bahay everyday. I really need to learn the language para magkaroon pa ako ng mas maraming work.

Describe John’s proposal.

One of the most romantic moments in my life ’yung time na nag-propose siya sa akin. I was really surprised and very happy.

How did you spend your birthday in Hawaii?

John and I went shopping. Pero hindi ako mahilig sa mga branded. Cheap lang ako. Sobrang affordable ako. Mahilig lang ako sa clothes, shorts, tops, jeans. Noong nasa Hawaii kami, sale pa sila kaya ang daming discount.

How much did he spend?

Low lang talaga, less than US$1,000. Sobrang small amount lang. Hindi ako mahirap i-please. I only buy things talaga that I really can afford. If hindi kaya ng budget ko, ’di ko talaga binibili.

How did you meet John?

Kami pa noon ni Marc (Nelson). Nagpakilala si John sa akin sa isang party. Doon ko nalaman na artista siya. Tinawagan niya ako the following day and invited me for coffee. Hindi ako puwede kasi I had appointment. Tumawag siya uli to invite me to be a judge in the CamSur tournament he organized. I begged off. 
    
How did he became your boyfriend?

But since we move around in the same circle, lagi kaming nagkikita. Siya lagi ang bumabati sa akin kaya lagi kaming nag-uusap. Marc called my attention about the balita na madalas kaming nag-uusap ni John. Nag-break kami. I remembered John. Tinawagan ko siya at tinanong kung open pa yung invitation niya to treat me to a cup of coffee. John said yes.

What do you disagree about most of the time?

My style of dressing. Iba siyempre ’yung culture namin sa Brazil. Yung way of dressing doon sa amin, very independent. Tsaka, noong nakilalala niya ako, ganito na ako, model na ako. But sometimes, if he’s not really comfortable with what I’m wearing, nagtsi-change naman ako.

What do you like about John?

His sense of humor. Minsan gusto ko rin yung pagiging protective niya kasi if a guy is like that, it means, nagki-care siya, ’di ba? Sobra siyang mabait kahit minsan mainit ang ulo niya. Hindi siya possessive pero seloso siya. Also, he doesn’t flirt anymore as he used to, mas behaved na siya ngayon.                                                   

What don’t you like about John?

Mainitin ang ulo niya. Tsaka minsan, may pagka-possesive siya.

Have you met John’s ex-wife, Janice?

Oo. Nilapitan niya ako dati. And that I appreciated the most, since I’ve long wanted even just to greet her but didn’t know the proper way to do it.                                 

What are your plans?

I wanna try acting. Pero kung hindi talaga ako puwede doon, okey lang. He-he-he! Pero sana puwede.